NON-PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION OF JIM SIEGRIST AND CECE BAUM

FOR

MASSAGING/CLEANSING DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPPLICATION: None

This application claims the priority dates of provisional patent application 60/814,781 , filed on 06/20/2006; and provisional patent application 60/843,098, filed on 09/08/2006.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH: Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM: Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates in general to body massaging and cleansing devices and more particularly to a body massaging/cleansing device, which comprises a rhythmically movable massaging/cleansing element for producing a desired massaging/cleansing effect on the skin of a user. The rhythmic movement of the element resembles a figure '8' movement on plan. The device also discharges massaging/cleansing agent during operation.

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[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,1 17 to Muchisky discloses a facial and body massage apparatus. The apparatus comprises an applicator with a handle, and a cleansing/exfoliation element which abuts the skin of a user. The element is constructed to rotate about an axis which is aligned with the handle, The element is also designed to orbit about the axis while rotating, thereby providing maximum surface area contact while reducing heat and skin irritation as well as uneven wear of the element.

[0003] U.S. Pat, No. 4,027,348 to Flowers discloses a hand-held portable electrical skin treatment appliance. The appliance includes a means for detachably mounting various skin treatment devices to a rotary drive output. The rotary device abuts the skin of a user for providing cleansing effects thereon. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5, 129,121 to Gelman discloses a turbine driven rotating brush. The brush comprises a turbine enclosed in a housing, which in turn comprises an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for discharging water flow. A port in the housing directs water onto blades of the turbine. A reduction gear transmits the torque output of the turbine to a shaft on which the brush is mounted. The turbine may be located adjacent a backstop so that water exiting the housing through the outlet is incident on the backstop. The backstop breaks up the discharge of the flow of water outwardly away from the brush for achieving different spray patterns around the brush.

[0005] None of the above referenced art incorporates a massaging/cleansing element which is capable of massaging/cleansing over the skin of a user in a rhythm, which resembles a figure '8' movement on plan. This rhythmic movement of the device offers better massaging/cleaning effect on the skin as compared to the other ways offered by the above disclosed art. The objects of the present invention will

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become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention is a massaging/cleansing device which incorporates a water jet driven turbine, a massaging/cleansing element connected offset of the turbine's central axis so that when the turbine is rotated, a portion of the element connected to the turbine is also rotated. One portion of the turbine is connected with a guide and track mechanism, wherein the guide and track mechanism translates the rotary motion at one end into a linear motion at the other thereby giving rise to an overall rhythmic movement of the element, The element induces the desired massaging/cleansing effect on the skin of a user. The device further comprises a mechanism which releases a foaming massaging/cleansing agent when operated; the agent for producing the massaging/cleansing effect on the skin of a user when acted along with the element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the massaging/cleansing device in accordance with the present invention.

[0008]. Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the massaging/cleansing device in accordance with the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 is a top view of the massaging/cleansing element in accordance with the present invention.

[0010] Figures 4 through 6 are bottom views of different massaging/cleansing elements in accordance with the present invention.

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[0011] Figures 7 through 9 are side views of different massaging/cleansing elements in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] Figure 10 is a side view depicting the guide and the track arrangement of the massaging/cleansing device in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] Figure 1 1 is a plan view of the turbine in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] Figures 12 and 13 are perspective views of the turbine in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] Figure 14 is a plan view of the turbine and the massaging/cleansing element in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the turbine and the massaging/cleansing element in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] Figure 16 is a bottom view turbine and the massaging/cleansing element in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] Figure 17 is a side view turbine and the massaging/cleansing element in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURES - REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Massaging/cleansing Device

12 Housing

14 Turbine

16 Massaging/cleansing Element

18 Water Jet

20 Massaging/cleansing Pad

22 Connecting Arm

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24 Layer of Sponge

26 Layer of Rubber

28 Layer of Bristles

30 Track

32 Tab

34 Blade

36 Hole

38 Central Axis

40 Water Chamber

42 Switch

44 Guide

46 Soap Chamber

48 Plate Member

50 Cap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of an electrical, handheld massaging/cleansing device, which is also used for skin exfoliation purposes, is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 1 through 17. [0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 10 comprises a housing 12, a turbine 14 enclosed within the housing 12, a set of interchangeable massaging/cleansing elements 16, each to be detachably connected to the turbine 14, a water jet 18 disposed within the housing 12 for rotating the turbine 14, and a means for discharging a massaging/cleansing agent from the device 10 when in use.

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[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 9, each massaging/cleansing element 16, which is a flat unitary piece, can be divided into a massaging/cleansing pad 20 and a connecting arm 22 extending from the periphery of the pad 20. The bottom surface of the pad 20 may comprise a layer of sponge 24 for cleansing, a layer of rubber 26 for massaging, or a layer of bristles 28 for scrubbing over the skin of a user. The upper surface of the pad 20 comprises a pair of tracks 30, such that the connecting arm 22 is aligned between the pair of tracks 30 as seen in FIG. 3. The pad 20 can be substantially circular, elliptical, or oblong on plan. The upper surface of the connecting arm 22 is attached with a tab 32,

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 1 through 16, the turbine 14 resembles a gear wheel. The blades 34 of the turbine 14 are uniformly slanted in one direction. The top and bottom surfaces of the turbine 14 are substantially flat. The bottom surface of the turbine 14 comprises a circular plate member 48 concentric to the turbine 14. The turbine 14 further comprises a hole 36 at its bottom surface through the plate member 48 for detachably receiving the tab 34 of the connecting arm 22. The hole 36 is offset of the central axis 38 about which the turbine 14 is rotated. Therefore, when the turbine 14 is rotated, the connecting arm 22 also rotates along. [0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 16, the water from the water jet 18 is impinged on the blades 34 of the turbine 14 in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the slant of the blades 34. The plate member 48 prevents the water from discharging directly from the blades 34 of the turbine 14. The water can be sourced either from an external source or from a water chamber 40 enclosed within the housing 12. The water chamber 40 can be accessed by a cap 50 fitted over it. The water jet 18 can be electrically activated and deactivated by a switch 42. [0024] Referring to FIGS. 10, 16, and 17, a guide 44, disposed within the

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housing 12, is to be received within the pair of tracks 30 such that the tracks 30 can reciprocate about the guide 44. Therefore, as the connecting arm 22 rotates, the pad 20 reciprocates due to the mutual arrangement of the guide 44 and the tracks 30. The rotary motion of the connecting arm 22 and the reciprocatory motion of the pad 20 together make up the overall movement resembling a rhythmic figure '8' movement on plan.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 further comprises a soap chamber 46 for containing liquid soap; the soap chamber 46 disposed above the turbine 14. The liquid soap can be refilled into the soap chamber 46 through an opening fitted with a cap 50. The housing 12 is also provided with a mechanism for discharging the liquid soap over the turbine 14. The discharged liquid soap and the water become miscible forming the massaging/cleansing agent. Foam is produced when the pulsating water particles and the liquid soap are mixed together. Except for the bottom surface of the pad 20, al! the components of the device 10 are enclosed within the housing 12 as seen in FIG. 1.

[0026] All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0027] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U. S. C. § 112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of "step of in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U. S. C. § 1 12, paragraph 6.

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[0028] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

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